Students give architects ideas for Northside redevelopment

Aaron Ryba, of McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture, at center left, and Vince Tam, at center right, of JHP Architecture/ Urban Design, present a map of the Northside area to children at the Cleveland Academy of Leadership on Thursday to get their ideas for the redevelopment of the Northside.

Last Modified: Thursday, January 9, 2014 at 10:18 p.m.

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They're tired of seeing drug deals on street corners, and they want more fresh fruits and vegetables. They would like a running track close by and a place where they can spend time honing their interests they've developed in after-school clubs like photography, technology and art.

They also want to stay at the school for three years after fifth grade, the last grade the school offers.

The students made it clear — they love their school and have high expectations for their community.

Lofty academic and social goals were set at the school by Spartanburg District 7 leaders two years ago as a result of the partnership with the city of Spartanburg, the Spartanburg Housing Authority and other key groups when planning for the Northside transformation started.

At that time, Cleveland Elementary School was renamed Cleveland Academy of Leadership and students were issued uniforms. The school year was expanded to 205 days and the interior and exterior underwent modifications to reflect the new expectations. Quotes from national figures were painted inside the school to inspire students.

The results, so far, have been astonishing. Three years ago, the school had an enrollment of 390 and that has grown to 560 with less parents choosing to send their children to other schools, said Superintendent Russell Booker.

The school saw the highest achievement scores in its history this year on state and federal report cards. Previously considered an "at-risk" school, the school increased its rating to "below average" and had a "good" improvement rating, Booker said.

On the federal report card, the school scored 39 last year and 68.5 this year.

"That's significant improvement," Booker said. "We had 20-point gains in third grade reading and the fifth grade had a huge, double-digit increase."

But more than that, Booker said expectations are higher and the students have worked hard to achieve the gains. Their confidence level has increased and they're focused on building leadership qualities, Booker said.

"We've had wonderful academic results, but that could go down next year, to be honest with you," he said. "I don't expect it to, but it's possible. The real measure of how the school is performing — realizing it's anecdotal — is how those students are growing socially, and the results have been amazing. They have goals and they're working hard to achieve them. They're looking forward, and they have a real sense of what they want to do in the future and have a plan for how to get it done."

Principal Fred Logan told the students to speak up and to give master planners insight and their thoughts Thursday afternoon.

"I want more places to play, with lots of swings and fun things to do," said Ja'Liyah McJimpsey, a fourth grader at the school. "I love my school. I love my neighborhood, but we need less crime and more parks."

Jaybriyeil Patterson, 11, lives close to the current Northwest Recreation Center.

"We don't want what you think kids would want...we are tired of fast food. We want variety and grocery stores and places that sell fresh foods," Patterson said.

The answers they gave seemed logical and thoughtful and not what planners had quite expected when they visited the school Spartanburg District 7 has spent time and resources to improve as part of the Northside Initiative.

A cross-section of students gathered in the school's library — with inspirational quotes on the walls — and told Vince Tam, of JHP architects in Dallas, Texas and McMillan Pazdan and Smith architect Aaron Ryba that the school offers all the keys they need to succeed — teachers who care, opportunities to explore the arts and technology with students who have district-issued MacBook Airs or tablets.

They gathered around a table and put pictures of banks, movie theaters, parks and other community amenities on a map of the Northside. The group couldn't quite reach a consensus on what should go where, but they collectively said they were excited about the "new Northside."

Ryba said the students provided great feedback.

"The students have a real sense of identity and community," Ryba said. "I was impressed they wanted a place where they could enjoy the social activities that they're already involved with at school. They were really interactive and expressive."

<p>Cleveland Academy of Leadership students had no reservations telling Northside master planners just what they expected in their new community. </p><p>They're tired of seeing drug deals on street corners, and they want more fresh fruits and vegetables. They would like a running track close by and a place where they can spend time honing their interests they've developed in after-school clubs like photography, technology and art.</p><p>They also want to stay at the school for three years after fifth grade, the last grade the school offers. </p><p>The students made it clear — they love their school and have high expectations for their community.</p><p>Lofty academic and social goals were set at the school by Spartanburg District 7 leaders two years ago as a result of the partnership with the city of Spartanburg, the Spartanburg Housing Authority and other key groups when planning for the Northside transformation started. </p><p>At that time, Cleveland Elementary School was renamed Cleveland Academy of Leadership and students were issued uniforms. The school year was expanded to 205 days and the interior and exterior underwent modifications to reflect the new expectations. Quotes from national figures were painted inside the school to inspire students.</p><p>The results, so far, have been astonishing. Three years ago, the school had an enrollment of 390 and that has grown to 560 with less parents choosing to send their children to other schools, said Superintendent Russell Booker. </p><p>The school saw the highest achievement scores in its history this year on state and federal report cards. Previously considered an "at-risk" school, the school increased its rating to "below average" and had a "good" improvement rating, Booker said. </p><p>On the federal report card, the school scored 39 last year and 68.5 this year. </p><p>"That's significant improvement," Booker said. "We had 20-point gains in third grade reading and the fifth grade had a huge, double-digit increase."</p><p>But more than that, Booker said expectations are higher and the students have worked hard to achieve the gains. Their confidence level has increased and they're focused on building leadership qualities, Booker said. </p><p>"We've had wonderful academic results, but that could go down next year, to be honest with you," he said. "I don't expect it to, but it's possible. The real measure of how the school is performing — realizing it's anecdotal — is how those students are growing socially, and the results have been amazing. They have goals and they're working hard to achieve them. They're looking forward, and they have a real sense of what they want to do in the future and have a plan for how to get it done."</p><p>Principal Fred Logan told the students to speak up and to give master planners insight and their thoughts Thursday afternoon.</p><p>"I want more places to play, with lots of swings and fun things to do," said Ja'Liyah McJimpsey, a fourth grader at the school. "I love my school. I love my neighborhood, but we need less crime and more parks."</p><p>Jaybriyeil Patterson, 11, lives close to the current Northwest Recreation Center. </p><p>"We don't want what you think kids would want...we are tired of fast food. We want variety and grocery stores and places that sell fresh foods," Patterson said. </p><p>The answers they gave seemed logical and thoughtful and not what planners had quite expected when they visited the school Spartanburg District 7 has spent time and resources to improve as part of the Northside Initiative.</p><p>A cross-section of students gathered in the school's library — with inspirational quotes on the walls — and told Vince Tam, of JHP architects in Dallas, Texas and McMillan Pazdan and Smith architect Aaron Ryba that the school offers all the keys they need to succeed — teachers who care, opportunities to explore the arts and technology with students who have district-issued MacBook Airs or tablets. </p><p>They gathered around a table and put pictures of banks, movie theaters, parks and other community amenities on a map of the Northside. The group couldn't quite reach a consensus on what should go where, but they collectively said they were excited about the "new Northside."</p><p>Ryba said the students provided great feedback.</p><p>"The students have a real sense of identity and community," Ryba said. "I was impressed they wanted a place where they could enjoy the social activities that they're already involved with at school. They were really interactive and expressive."</p>